Is That Song Stuck in Your Head Actually AI?
A recent surge of songs with similar names and melodies has been attributed to AI-generated music, causing concern in the music industry. Many of these tracks are based on a human-made song from 2019, leading to questions about copyright and artist recognition. As AI technology advances, the legal implications of music creation are becoming increasingly complex.
- ▪A wave of AI-generated songs has gone viral, with many resembling a 2019 track by the band Stick Figure.
- ▪These AI remixes often exist in a legal gray area, complicating copyright issues for original artists.
- ▪Streaming platforms are struggling to manage the influx of new music, with over 106,000 songs uploaded daily in 2025.
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The Atlantic DailyIs That Song Stuck in Your Head Actually AI?AI slop is coming for the music industry.By Will GottsegenIllustration by Matteo Giuseppe Pani / The AtlanticMay 29, 2026, 12:46 PM ET ShareSave This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.Late last month, a swarm of songs with near-identical names, lyrics, and melodies started to go viral on streaming platforms across the world. These tracks were not exactly the same—some have a little more guitar than others, some are more dance-oriented—but they’re all named something close to “Angel Above Me” or “Run Run River,” after the song’s first line.
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